Sharp drop in teacher training applications for shortage subjects

There has been a sharp drop in teacher training applications for shortage subjects, according to new data released by UCAS.

The data shows a 23 per cent drop in applications from potential physics teachers in 2016 compared to the year before, as well as a 30 per cent drop in would-be design and technology teachers.

The figures also show a notable drop in the numbers of undergraduates expressing an interest in teacher training since the introduction of the higher £9,000 fees, with applications dropping by 12 per cent.

Overall applications were down by 4.1 per cent, however, Maths, another shortage subject, has seen a small increase of 0.5 per cent over the past year.